The teenager accused of killing three girls at a dance class in Southport has been charged with a terrorist offence, but the knife attack has not been ruled a terrorist incident.

According to the police, for the attack to be categorized as terrorism, the motivation should be established.

The force warned people not to speculate about the motive behind the attack at the Taylor Swift-themed class on July 29, in which nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, six-year-old Bebe King and seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe were killed years.

The PA news agency looks at the charges facing Axel Rudakubana and how the incidents are being declared terrorism.

– Why is Axel Rudakubana accused?

The 18-year-old is charged with the murders of Alice, Bebe and Elsie, as well as the attempted murders of eight other children, instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes, as well as possessing a knife.

On Tuesday, he was charged with additional offenses of producing a biological toxin, Ricin, and possessing information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism.

– What does the charge of terror refer to?

Following searches of Rudakubana’s home in Banks, Lancashire, in the days following the attack, police found a PDF file titled Military Studies in Jihad Against Tyrants, the Al Qaeda training manual.

He is accused of detaining him between August 29, 2021 and July 30, 2024.

He was charged under Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Police Chief Serena Kennedy said the charge does not require a motive.

– Is the production of Ricin a terrorist offence?

No, Rudakubana was charged with producing the toxin under Section 1 of the Biological Weapons Act 1974.

“What about the attack?”

The attack was not declared a terrorist incident by anti-terrorist police.

Mrs Kennedy said: “For a matter to be declared a terrorist incident, the motivation would have to be established.

“We strongly urge caution against anyone speculating about motivation in this case.

“Criminal proceedings against Axel Rudakubana are active and he is entitled to a fair trial.”

– Are the anti-terrorist police involved?

On the day of the attack, Mrs Kennedy confirmed that North West counter-terrorism police had provided support, although the motive for the stabbings remained unclear and was not being treated as a terrorist attack.

The force can ask counter-terrorism police to assist with major incident investigations from the outset, so that they have access to more resources and tactics to enable them to progress the investigation quickly.

This may include forensic examination of the scene and examination of digital devices found during the investigation.

– What normally happens before an incident is declared terrorist?

Determining the circumstances of the incident is often complicated and will depend on the nature of the incident and what the investigation uncovers, which is why it can take some time for an attack to be declared terrorist, especially if there is no clear immediate motivation or ideology behind the incident.

Perpetrators holding mixed ideologies, which can sometimes be complicated to interpret, may be one of the reasons why it may take time to determine.

Not all violent incidents, even some atrocities involving multiple victims, are declared terrorist attacks.

Cases of extreme violence where hatred is a factor most often do not meet the legal definition of terrorism.